Born on December 8, 1978, in Covington, Louisiana, he is an American actor, model, and environmental activist. He gained fame as Boone Carlyle in the TV series "Lost" and rose to prominence for his role as Damon Salvatore in "The Vampire Diaries." His career began in modeling before he transitioned to acting in the late 1990s. Beyond acting, he is committed to environmental causes, founding the Ian Somerhalder Foundation to promote sustainable living and conservation efforts.